U.S. patent application number 13/760811 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-08 for workplace with integrated interface for identification of a user.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIH-UTVECKLING AB. The applicant listed for this patent is KIH-utveckling AB. Invention is credited to Johan HJELM.
Application Number | 20130199420 13/760811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45566892 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130199420 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HJELM; Johan |
August 8, 2013 |
WORKPLACE WITH INTEGRATED INTERFACE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF A
USER
Abstract
A workplace comprising a piece of furniture comprising a control
unit for controlling functions at said workplace, wherein said
piece of furniture further comprises an integrated interface for a
communicative connection to a mobile device, said integrated
interface being connected to said control unit, said integrated
interface further being adapted to communicate a user specific
identification from said mobile device to said control unit, and
said control unit is configured to control said functions at said
workplace based on said user specific identification.
Inventors: |
HJELM; Johan; (Bankeryd,
SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIH-utveckling AB; |
Jonkoping |
|
SE |
|
|
Assignee: |
KIH-UTVECKLING AB
Jonkoping
SE
|
Family ID: |
45566892 |
Appl. No.: |
13/760811 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/20 ; 108/23;
108/50.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/00 20130101;
A47B 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/20 ;
108/50.11; 108/23 |
International
Class: |
A47B 21/00 20060101
A47B021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2012 |
EP |
12154164.3 |
Claims
1. A workplace comprising: a piece of furniture comprising a
control unit for controlling functions at said workplace, wherein
said piece of furniture further comprises an integrated interface
for a communicative connection to a mobile device, said integrated
interface being connected to said control unit, said integrated
interface further being adapted to communicate a user specific
identification from said mobile device to said control unit, and
said control unit is configured to control said functions at said
workplace based on said user specific identification.
2. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said functions include
adjustments of a height of said piece of furniture.
3. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said piece of
furniture is a height adjustable table comprising an electric motor
for driving said height adjustable furniture, and wherein said
control unit further controls the operation of the electric
motor.
4. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said functions further
comprise adjustments of lighting conditions.
5. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said functions further
comprise providing a user access to a network.
6. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said functions further
comprise control of electrical power outlets.
7. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said workspace further
comprises a telephone and said telephone is, based on the
identification from said mobile device, configured to be operable
with a telephone number associated with said user.
8. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein the communicative
connection between said interface and said mobile device is a
wireless connection.
9. A workplace according to claim 8, wherein said wireless
connection is a near field communication connection.
10. A workplace according to claim 8, wherein said wireless
connection is a Bluetooth connection.
11. A workplace according to claim 8, wherein said wireless
connection is a WLAN connection.
12. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein the communicative
connection between said interface and said mobile device is a wired
connection.
13. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said mobile device is
voice-controlled.
14. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said mobile device is
a mobile phone with software adapted to communicatively connect to
said integrated interface.
15. A workplace according to claim 1, wherein said mobile device is
a tablet computer with software adapted to communicatively connect
to said integrated interface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to European Application
Number 12154164.3 filed Feb. 7, 2012, the entire contents of each
of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to control of height
adjustable furniture and other surrounding functions.
TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND
[0003] In many modern offices a flexible office landscape is used
where the workplaces are not tied to a specific employee but rather
open to be used by all or several employees. Moreover, a modern
workplace comprises a plurality of devices and functions that can
be controlled, such as raising or lowering the desk, adjusting the
lighting conditions, the phone properties, the computer etc.
Further, different employees prefer different settings for the
devices and functions. Given the combination of not having a set
workplace and the plurality of devices and functions with a variety
of adjustments that can be made, a lot of time is spent on
adjusting different devices and functions for an employee.
[0004] Thereby, there is a need for a modern workplace where the
employee does not have to spend time and effort on configuring
devices and functions so as to fit the user's preferences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In the view of the above-mentioned and other drawbacks of
prior art, the object of the invention is to achieve a workplace
that reduce the time and effort an employee have to spend on
adjusting devices and functions at said workplace to match his or
her preference.
[0006] The invention is based on the inventors' realization that
this problem can be combined with the problem that many workplaces
require identification for logging into for example a computer
and/or network. Further, the inventors have realized by providing
workplace with a piece of furniture comprising an integrated
interface for identifying a user from a mobile device, said
adjustments to the devices and functions can be achieved
automatically, without needing a user to manually make adjustments.
Moreover, the same integrated interface can identify a user from a
mobile device so that said user can gain access to a computer or a
network. Thereby, two the problems can be solved with one
solution.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, above
and other objects are achieved through a workplace comprising a
piece of furniture comprising a control unit for controlling
functions at said workplace, wherein said piece of furniture
further comprises an integrated interface for a communicative
connection to a mobile device, said integrated interface being
connected to said control unit, said integrated interface further
being adapted to communicate a user specific identification from
said mobile device to said control unit, and said control unit is
configured to control said functions at said workplace based on
said user specific identification.
[0008] In the context of this application a "mobile device" should
be interpreted as a mobile device including a processor unit, a
storing unit and a graphical user interface adapted display.
Examples of such mobile devices are a smartphone, tablet computer
and a personal digital assistant (PDA). Moreover, in the context of
this application, a "workplace" should be interpreted as an
arrangement of furniture where a user can perform a variety of
office work such as reading, writing etc. Examples of furniture in
such an arrangement could comprise are a table, a chair and/or a
hutch.
[0009] The workplace according to abovementioned embodiment may
enable a user to spend less time and effort to adjust functions at
the workplace so that the functions correspond to the user's
preference. Moreover, since many users today have a mobile device,
a workplace as described above may not require the user to invest
in further devices, and thereby also limit the risk of losing an
identification means, such as an identification card.
[0010] Since less time is spent on adjusting functions at the
workplace, more time may be spent on performing actual working
tasks.
[0011] In one embodiment, the user specific identification may be
associated with a user profile comprising predefined settings for
said functions.
[0012] In another embodiment, said user profile associated with
said user specific identification may vary depending on point of
time of the communicatively connection.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, the said user profile associated
with said user specific identification may vary depending on the
type of furniture to which the mobile device is communicatively
connected.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the functions may include
adjustments of a height of said piece of furniture.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, the piece of furniture may be a
height adjustable table comprising an electric motor for driving
said height adjustable furniture, and wherein said control unit
further controls the operation of the electric motor.
[0016] Thereby, the required time and effort for a user to adjust
the height of the piece of furniture may be reduced to
substantially no time or effort. The only thing the user needs to
do is to communicatively connect the mobile device to the
integrated interface, and then the control unit will adjust the
table height to a predefined preferred height.
[0017] Moreover, this may simplify the process of choosing a table
in a working area with several workplaces, since when the table
automatically adjusts once the user communicatively connects a
mobile device to the integrated interface and the user does not
have to evaluate the tables based on height.
[0018] In another embodiment, the functions may further comprise
adjustments of lighting conditions.
[0019] Thereby, the user may not have to manually adjust the
lighting conditions when the user chooses a workplace. The only
thing the user may need to do is to communicatively connect the
mobile device to the integrated interface, and then the lighting
conditions will adjust to his predefined preferred settings.
Moreover, the user may avoid having to turn on/off or
increase/decrease the lighting on a physical lighting switch.
Furthermore, the user may avoid moving from the furniture to adjust
the lighting conditions. Such a workplace further may decrease the
amount of time and effort needed from the user to set up his
workplace.
[0020] In yet another embodiment, the functions may further
comprise providing a user access to a network.
[0021] Thereby, the user may not have to manually provide log on
information, such as user-ID and passwords, to gain access to the
network. The only thing the user may need to do is to
communicatively connect the mobile device to the integrated
interface, and then the control unit will provide the user access
to the network. Thereby, time and effort needed from the user to
set up his workplace may be further decreased.
[0022] In another embodiment, the functions further comprise
control of electrical power outlets.
[0023] Thereby, the user may not have to spend time on manually
adjusting the electrical power outlet activation/deactivation to
the user's preference. Instead, the only thing the user needs to do
is to communicatively connect the mobile device to the integrated
interface, and then the control unit will automatically adjust the
electrical power outlets to match the user's predefined preferred
settings.
[0024] In another embodiment, the workspace may further comprise a
telephone and said telephone may, based on the identification from
said mobile device, be configured to be operable with a telephone
number associated with said user.
[0025] Thereby, a user that chooses a workplace in a flexible
working area may not have to adapt to the telephone number of the
chosen workplace. Instead, the only thing the user needs to do is
to communicatively connect the mobile device to the integrated
interface, and then the control unit will automatically configure
the telephone to be operable with a telephone number associated
with said user.
[0026] In yet another embodiment, the telephone number associated
with said user may be the same telephone number that belongs to the
mobile device.
[0027] In another embodiment the telephone number associated with
said user may be a different number than the telephone number that
belongs to the mobile device.
[0028] In yet another embodiment, the communicative connection
between said interface and said mobile device may be a wireless
connection.
[0029] With such a wireless connection the user may communicatively
connect the mobile device to said adjustable piece of furniture's
interface without the requirement of any cables or physical
connectors. Thereby, less valuable workspace may be dedicated and
the risk of losing a cable is eliminated. Further, mobile device's
position may be flexible within the wireless communication range,
which is dependent on the type of wireless connection that is
used.
[0030] In yet another embodiment, the wireless connection may be a
near field communication connection.
[0031] With a near field communication connection the mobile device
may be communicatively connected to the interface through that
mobile device is brought into the close range of the interface.
Moreover, the mobile device may be communicatively disconnected
from the adjustable piece of furniture's interface through that the
mobile device is brought out of range of the near field
communication. Thereby a user may save time and effort on how to
connect and disconnect the mobile device to the interface.
[0032] Moreover, a near field communication connection may be a
relative secure connection due to the small range in which it is
operable, typically a few centimeters. Moreover, buy using a near
field communication connection, there may be no risk of accidently
connecting the mobile device to a proximate work station in the
scenario where several workplaces, as described above, are situated
next to each other to form a flexible working area.
[0033] In yet another embodiment the wireless connection may be a
Bluetooth connection.
[0034] With a Bluetooth connection the mobile device may be
communicatively connected to the integrated interface by an
established standard which allows many different devices to be
compatible with said interface.
[0035] In yet another embodiment, the wireless connection may be a
WLAN connection.
[0036] With a WLAN connection the mobile device may be
communicatively connected to the interface by an established
standard which allows many different devices to be compatible with
said interface. Furthermore, the WLAN connection may enable the
mobile device to be communicatively connected to the interface
within a wide distance range, allowing the user be identified and
obtain the predefined preferred settings from a distance.
[0037] In yet another embodiment the communicative connection
between said interface and said mobile device may be a wired
connection.
[0038] With a wired connection the mobile device can be
communicatively connected to the interface by an established
standard which allows many different devices to be compatible with
said interface. For example the wired connection may be a
USB-connection, mini-USB-connection, micro-USB-connection, 30-pin
dock connector or other wired connections. Moreover, with a wired
connector charging of the mobile device is enabled. Further, the
user may visually confirm that the mobile device is connected to
the integrated interface.
[0039] In yet another embodiment the mobile device may be
voice-controlled.
[0040] With such a system the functions controlled by the control
unit may be controlled by voice commands. Thereby, the user may not
have to physically interact with the mobile device for controlling
the functions. That could be desirable when the user's hands are
busy with other tasks or when the user would like make a great
impression on another person.
[0041] In yet another embodiment the mobile device may be a mobile
phone with software adapted to communicatively connect to said
integrated interface.
[0042] Many potential users of a workplace as described carry a
mobile phone, such as a smart phone, thus no further devices may be
needed. Moreover, if the mobile device may be used for configuring
the predefined settings, and or change the settings associated with
the identity of the user, the user is already familiar to the
smartphone's interface from prior use of the smartphone, thus
shortening the time to set up the preferred settings.
[0043] In yet another embodiment the mobile device may be a tablet
computer with software adapted to communicatively connect to said
integrated interface.
[0044] Many potential users of a workplace as described carry a
tablet computer, thus no further devices are needed. Moreover, if
the mobile device may be used for configuring the predefined
settings, and or change the settings associated with the identity
of the user, the user may already be familiar to the table
computer's interface from prior use of the tablet computer, thus
shortening the time to set up the preferred settings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0045] The invention will in the following be described in more
detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
[0046] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective-view of a
workplace according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a
piece of furniture comprising an integrated interface for
establishing a wireless connection to a mobile device, and
[0047] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective-view of a
workplace according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a
piece of furniture comprising an integrated interface for
establishing a wired connection to a mobile device, and
[0048] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a perspective-view of a
workplace according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a
piece of furniture, without height adjustable legs, comprising an
integrated interface for establishing a wireless connection to a
mobile device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] The present invention will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like
numbers refer to like elements.
[0050] In the description below a workplace with furniture, wherein
said furniture is a height adjustable table is mainly discussed. It
should however be noted that this by no means should limit the
scope of the application which is equally applicable on a regular
table, a bureau, a bookcase, a hutch, a desk or any other furniture
with a top surface.
[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates a workplace 100 according to an
embodiment of the inventive concept. The workplace 100 comprises a
piece of furniture illustrated as a height adjustable table 1. The
height adjustable table 1 further comprises an integrated interface
20 for communicative connection with a mobile device 50 such as a
mobile telephone, a smart phone or a tablet computer. The
integrated interface 20 is configured to identify a user from the
mobile device 50.
[0052] The height adjustable table 1 further comprises a control
unit 30. The control unit 30 is connected to a mains power supply
network via a power socket 34. The control unit 30 thereby supplies
power to the workplace 100. The control unit 30 comprises control
means for controlling the operation of the power supply i.e.
controlling the connection and disconnection of the power supply to
the workplace 100. The interface 20 is connected to the control
unit 30 via a cable 22.
[0053] The height adjustable table 1 comprises two extendable legs
2 and a table top 4. The legs 2 may be extendable in a telescopic
manner providing a height adjustment function of the height
adjustable table 1. The height adjustment of the height adjustable
table 1 may be driven by one or more electric motors (not
shown).
[0054] The workplace 100 may be equipped with office equipment such
as a computer 10, a computer screen 14, a telephone (not shown),
lights 12, a power supply unit 40 and the like, which are also
connected to the control unit 30 via cables. In one embodiment the
office equipment is directly coupled to the control unit 30, for
example the computer 10 and computer screen 14 as shown in FIG. 1.
In another embodiment, the office equipment is indirectly coupled
to the control unit via the power supply unit 40, for example the
lamp 12 as also illustrated in FIG. 1. In the latter embodiment the
office equipment can be connected by means of intermediate power
cables 44.
[0055] In one embodiment of the inventive concept the integrated
interface 20 identifies a user specific identification when a
mobile device 50 is connected to the interface 20. The user
specific identification is associated with user specific predefined
settings. When the user specific identification is identified, the
control unit controls functions and settings at the workplace so
that they correspond to the predefined settings associated with the
user specific identification. The predefined settings can be stored
in the mobile device 50, in the control unit 30 or in on a remote
location such as a server (not shown).
[0056] In one embodiment of the inventive concept the integrated
interface 20 identifies a user profile with settings predefined by
the user, when a mobile device 50 is connected to the interface 20.
Moreover, when the user profile is identified, the control unit can
control functions and settings at the workplace so that they
correspond to the predefined settings stored for the identified
user profile. The predefined settings can be stored in the mobile
device 50, in the control unit 30 or in on a remote location such
as a server (not shown). The integrated interface 20 further
enables the mobile device 50 to send and receive signals from the
control unit 30.
[0057] The stored user profile can contain settings for the light
12 conditions, the computer 10, the computer screen 14, the
telephone (not shown), the power supply unity 40 and/or the
like.
[0058] After communicatively connecting the mobile device 50 to the
integrated interface 20, the mobile device 50 can be used to
control the height of the table top 4. Moreover the mobile device
50 can control activation/deactivation/adjustments of the light 12,
the computer 10, the computer screen 14, the telephone and/or the
like. Further, the interface 20 enables the mobile device 50 to
control the power supply unit 40.
[0059] The mobile device 50 can comprise software with a graphical
user interface for controlling the different functions and devices.
Thereby, a user can further adjust settings for the functions and
devices according to the user's preference.
[0060] Moreover, when connected to the interface 20, the mobile
device 50 may be charged by the control unit, via the connection to
the interface 20.
[0061] In some embodiments where the control unit 30 controls the
electrical power outlets 42, lighting 12 and/or other functions,
said power outlets 42, lighting 12 or other functions are arranged
in proximity to said height adjustable furniture 1. One example as
shown in FIG. 1, is power outlets 42 at the workspace intended for
charging a mobile phone, providing power supply for the computer 10
or similar. Another example is a desk lamp 12.
[0062] In some other embodiments, when the control unit 30 also
controls electrical power outlets 42, lighting 12 and/or other
functions, said power outlets 42, lighting 12 and/or other
functions are arranged at another location than the height
adjustable furniture 1. One example is power outlets located at
another place in a room (not shown), intended for providing power
supply for a radiator, a fan, a light fixture or similar. Another
example is a lighting fixture (not shown) arranged in a
ceiling.
[0063] The interface 20 between the height adjustable table 1 and
the mobile device 50 may be provided in a plurality of
implementations. The interface 20 may be provided with a cable 26
for attachment and communicative connection with the mobile device
50 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The cable may be a USB cable,
mini-USB-connection, micro-USB-connection, 30-pin dock connector or
any other communication cable adapted for attachment to a mobile
device 50.
[0064] Alternatively, the interface may comprise wireless
connection means 24 for wireless connection with the mobile device
50 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The wireless connection means may be
adapted for connection to the mobile device 50 via WLAN, Bluetooth,
Near Field Communication (NFC) or the like. The interface 20 is an
integrated part of the table top 4. The wireless connection means
of the interface can be provided in a specified area 24 of the
table top 4 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0065] In one embodiment, e.g. when the wireless connection is a
NFC connection the communicatively connection between the interface
20 and the mobile device 50 is only active when the mobile device
is placed within a predefined distance from the specified area 24
of the table top 4. The predefined distance can vary from about 0
cm to about 50 cm, preferably about 0 cm to about 10 cm most
preferably from about 0 cm to about 5 cm
[0066] In other embodiments the wireless connection is an encrypted
connection, e.g. a secure sockets layer (SSL), preventing security
attacks such as eavesdropping.
[0067] In another embodiment of the inventive concept, the mobile
device 50 is adapted to register other settings and/or statistics
for different functions or equipment connected to the control unit
20. Such register information may contain information of the time
and/or the setting for each device. The mobile device 50 would
thereby for instance register at what points of time and duration
the user has the height adjustable table 1 in sitting height and at
what points of time and duration the user has the height adjustable
table 1 in a standing height. Moreover, other registrations may
contain light 12 settings and variations over time, and/or how much
time is spent on the computer etc. Also this registered information
may be stored in the mobile device 50, the control unit 30 or a
remote server (not shown).
[0068] A user of the workplace 100 and the mobile device 50 may
thereby be able to analyze the settings for different devices. The
information may also be transferred further by the mobile device
50, to a central server (not shown) or an administrator. Thereby,
analysis can be made on how to improve or change a behavior.
[0069] In yet another embodiment the registered statistics for the
different functions or equipment stored can be used to create the
user profile. Either by conforming to the behavior recorded in the
statistics, or by adjusting the behavior recorded in the statistics
with the purpose to improve ergonomics for the user.
[0070] In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the mobile
device can present recommendations for settings to the user. The
recommendations can be based on stored and/or analyzed data from
the usage, but they could also be based on other inputs. Such
recommendations could be to encourage the user to for example alter
the settings of the height adjustable table 1 or the light 12
settings. Thereby, the user can get feedback on how to obtain an
ergonomically improved position and/or light setting or
equivalent.
[0071] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the height
adjustable table 1 and the office equipment can be voice-controlled
by the user giving voice commands to the mobile device 50. The
mobile device 50 can have software that recognizes voice commands
to for example lower the table top 4, turning off the light 12 or
turning on the power to the power supply unit 40.
[0072] In further one embodiment the mobile device 50 enables users
to create a plurality of profiles each containing a set of
settings. The profiles can be saved on the mobile device 50, the
control unit 30 or on a remote server. For example a user that
often gets tired in the afternoon can create a profile named
"Afternoon" and configure that profile so that the lights are set
on maximum light output, the desk is in a standing position and/or
other desired settings.
[0073] Moreover, the profiles can be associated with different
points of time, time spans or pieces of furniture. For example, the
profile "afternoon" can be associated with the time span
13.00-18.00 so that if the user communicatively connects the mobile
device at a point of time between 13.00 and 18.00 the settings in
the profile "afternoon" will be implemented to the workplace and
surrounding functions controlled by the control unit 30.
[0074] Further, the profiles can be adapted to the surroundings,
for example if there is a pedestal of drawers (not shown) placed
under the height adjustable table 1 and a painting (not shown)
hanging on the wall above the height adjustable table 1, the length
of stroke of the two extendable legs 2 can be limited so that the
table top 4 does not move lower than the pedestal of drawers or
higher than the painting.
[0075] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
piece of furniture 1 is not a height adjustable piece of furniture,
but a static piece of furniture as shown in FIG. 3. In a workplace
with a static piece of furniture other functions than the height of
the table top 4 can still be controlled according to what is
described above. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a static piece of
furniture can comprise an integrated interface 20 for establishing
a wireless communicative connection to a mobile device 50. However,
in an alternative embodiment the static piece of furniture can have
a wired communicative connection to said mobile device 50.
[0076] In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the integrated
interface 20 of the workplace 100 may function as a time
registering means for registering the amount of time a user spend
working at the workplace. Thereby, the user does not have to sign
in to/sign out from a system for starting/stopping the time
registration, thus eliminating the risk of forgetting to sign in or
sign out.
[0077] In yet another embodiment of the inventive concept, the
mobile device's 50 settings are altered when the mobile device 50
is communicatively connected to the integrated interface 20 and a
user is identified. For example, the mobile device 50 can gain
access to a WLAN when it is communicatively connected to the
integrated interface 20 and the user is identified. Another example
could be that the mobile device's 50 ringtone and volume can be
altered when it is communicatively connected to the integrated
interface 20 and a user is identified.
[0078] In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the user
profiles comprising predefined settings for said functions at the
workplace can be remotely updated. In one embodiment user profiles
can be added and removed from a specific workplace, several
workplaces or all workplaces included in a system. In yet one
embodiment predefined settings in an existing profile can be
remotely altered. Remote updates can be done from the mobile device
50, a remote server or from a computer.
[0079] While the present invention has been described with
reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,
many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as
the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but
that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the
scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first,
second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the
terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from
another.
[0080] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although
specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the
scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *